Clutch-operated diverter for sorting system

ABSTRACT

Diverter gates for diverting lumber, logs or similar products from an infeed conveyor to preselected sorting stations are operated through one-revolution or partial-revolution clutches. Clutch engagement and disengagement is synchronized to the movement of the infeed conveyor in a manner so that a diverter gate opens and closes when a piece to be diverted is in predetermined positions relative to such gate. The drives for the gates and infeed conveyor are interconnected in a manner so that variations in infeed speeds result in corresponding variations in the speed at which the gates are opened and closed, thereby enabling high-speed sorting.

United States Patent 5] Mar. 7, 1972 Rowley [54] CLUTCH-OPERATED DIVERTER FOR SORTING SYSTEM [72] Inventor: Daniel S. Rowley, Beaverton, Oreg. [73] Assignee: lrvington Forest Industrles,lnc.

[22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 889,220

[52] U.S.Cl .,.....209/74,209/l25 [51] lnt.Cl. ...B07c5/38 [58] FieldolSearch ..209/74,l25;'l98/31AC [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,170,572 2/1965 Harrison; ..'..2o9/74 3,207,307 9/1965 Means ..209/74 3,361,256 1/1968 Harrison ..198/31A Primary Examiner--Allen N. Knowles Attorney-Buckhorn, Blore, Klarquist and Sparkman [57] ABSTRACT Diverter gates for diverting lumber, logs or similar products from an infeed conveyor to preselected sorting stations are operated through one-revolution or partial-revolution clutches. Clutch engagement and disengagement is synchronized to the movement of the infeed conveyor in a manner so that a diverter gate opens and closes when a piece to be diverted is in predetermined positions relative to such gate. The drives for the gates and infeed conveyor are interconnected in a manner so that variations in infeed speeds result in corresponding variations in the speed at which the gates are opened and closed, thereby enabling high-speed sorting.

28 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUMR 11912 3,647,063

SHEET-1 or 4 FIG. l2

FIG

DANIEL S. ROWLEY INVENTOR fi BUCKHORN, BLORE, KLARQUIST & SPARKMAN ATTORNEYS PAIENTEBMAR m1; 3.647.063

I snmaum FIG. 2

26a BI FIG. 4

DAN I EL' 5. ROWLEY INVENTOR BUCKHORN, BLORE, KLARQUIST & SPARKMAN ATTORNEYS PAIENTEUMAR 7 I972 3,647, 063

sum 3 0F 4 DANIEL S. ROW LEY INVENTOR BUCKHORN, BLORE, KLARQUIST & SPARKMAN ATTORNEYS PAIENTEDMAR 7 I972 3.647, 063

SHEET u or 4 DANIEL S. ROWLEY INVENTOR BUCKHQRN, BLORE, KLARQUIST & SPARKMAN ATTORNEYS CLUTCH-OPERATED DIVERTER FOR SORTING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to diverter gate operating devices for lumber and log sorting systems.

2. Description of the Prior Art In lumber-sorting systems, swinging diverter gates are commonly used to divert individual pieces of lumber from an infeed path to a preselected one of several sorting stations. These stations commonly comprise multiple vertically spaced trays in tray-sorting systems or multiple bins in drop sorting systems. In the past each diverter gate has usually, been actuated at the desired time by a fluid cylinder connected directly to the gate. The cylinder in turn would be actuated by a solenoid-actuated valve for admitting pressure fluid to the cylinder. Such gate-operating means requires precise electrical timing if the gates are to open and close at the proper moment. Furthermore, the speed of operation of the cylinder directly affects the timing of the gate operation. Therefore slight variations in either fluid pressure, conveyor speed or in electrical timing can cause malfunction of the gates and missorting.

Moreover, fluid-operated diverter gates normally open and close at a constant speed regardless of the speed of the infeed conveyor. This feature of such prior gating systems limits variations in speed and also limits maximum speed of the entire sorting system to an undesirably low level.

Another disadvantage of prior diverter-actuating systems is their relatively high initial and maintenance costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the provision of a clutchoperated diverter gate for a sorting system.

An important feature of the invention is the synchronization of the speed of operation of the diverter gates with the speed of the infeed conveyor for such gates.

Another important feature of the invention is the synchronization of the time of clutch engagement and thus the time of opening of a gate with the position of product-positioning elements of the infeed conveyor.

Still another important feature is the timing of clutch disengagement and thus the closing of a gate with reference to the position of product-positioning elements of the infeed conveyor.

Other important features include (I) cam means, the shape of which controls the movement of a gate relative to a piece to be sorted; (2) means providing repeatable precise timing of gate operation regardless of conveyor speed; and (3) clutch control means selectively enabling full or partial gate cycling.

A further important feature is the use of a cycling clutch to synchronize gate operation with infeed conveyor speed and position. This feature eliminates the need to rely on precise electrical timing and precise power cylinder operation for accurate gate operation.

Primary objects and advantages of the invention are to provide:

I. an improved means for operating a diverter gate for sorting systems which makes higher sorting speeds possible through more controlled and precise gate operation than provided by prior gate-operating means;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the infeed portion of a typical tray-type lumber sorter incorporating the present invention;

FIGS. 2 through 6 are somewhat schematic side views of a small section of the infeed end of the sorter of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale illustrating sequentially the principles of operation of a diverter gate in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a small section of the infeed end of a sorter similar to FIGS. 2 through 6 but on a slightly enlarged scale and in more detail;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan vie taken approximately along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9- is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line l0 10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 11- ll ofFIG. 8; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the right-hand end of FIG. 8 showing the clutch assembly in plan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Arrangement With reference to the drawings, the infeed end of a typical multiple tray power lumber sorter is shown in FIG. 1. The sorter includes a structural framework 10 supporting multiple vertically spaced trays 12 defining multiple sorting stations for storing lumber of different dimensions, quality or combination thereof. The major length of each tray is composed of powered chains which receive lumber edgewise from an infeed section 14 composed of series of downwardly sloped gravity rolls. Alternatively some tray sorters convey lumber by gravity on idler rolls throughout the length of the sorter. In either case a series of diverter gates 16 control the diversion of lumber from an inclined primary infeed conveyor 18 onto the various trays.

Infeed conveyor 18 receives lumber from a horizontal upstream conveyor section 20, typically leading from a grading and sizing station.

The infeed conveyor includes a series of endless overhead chains 20 trained at their upper ends about idler sprockets 22 and at their lower ends about driven sprockets 24. These chains carry equally spaced lugs 26 which push the lumber up inclined skid surfaces 28 defined in part by the closed diversion gating means or gates 16. However, when a gate opens it interrupts the skid surface to divert a pieceof lumber, with the help of gravity, onto a desired tray. Infeed conveyor chain 20 is typically driven through a belt-and-pulley or chain-andsprocket drive shown generally at 30 from a variable speed power source 32.

Typically each piece of lumber to be sorted is graded and sized through visual inspection or by automatic means or both, with the grading infonnation being fed into a programming and memory system which signals a gate-operating mechanism at the proper time to open a gate and divert the piece into the preselected tray. Numerous varieties of such systems are in use in the lumber industry today. Such a system forms no part of the present invention and therefore is not described further.

It is also to be understood that numerous types of sorting apparatus and infeed systems are in use in the wood-processing industry, all of which typically use some sort of diverter gate means to divert, reroute or otherwise change the direction of travel of an individual piece to a desired sorting station. The

sorting station itself may comprise a gravity or powered tray in the case of tray sorters, or bins or other receiving devices in the case of drop sorters. The diverter-operating mechanism described is intended to have application to any type of sorter, whether for lumber, logs or analogous products. The illustrated powered tray sorter is shown merely as an example of one such application.

General Operation The general principles of operation of the diverter arms or gates 16 will be most readily understood from FIGS. 2 through 6. In FIG. 2, lugs 26a and 26b are shown pushing boards B and B up inclined skids 28 and over diverter arms 16a and 16b which control the entry of boards into sorting trays 12a and 12b respectively.

Assuming that board B has been programmed for diversion into tray 12a, diverter arm 16a begins to swing open as board B approaches its lower tip. As shown in FIG. 3, arm 16a is open by the time board B reaches the gate opening. Continued movement of lug 26b upwardly at this point causes board B to tip toward tray 12a, as shown in FIG. 4, as gate 16a begins to close again. FIG. 5 shows that the closing of gate 16a is timed so that the gate engages the rear end of board B, as the board tips onto tray 120. In this manner the gate actually straightens the board and boosts it onto the tray to give it acceleration toward the powered tray section. FIG. 6 shows gate 16a fully closed with board B traveling downstream through the tray while disposed fiat on the idler rolls.

Diverter Details The construction of a diverter gate and its operating mechanism is shown most clearly with reference to FIGS. 7 through 12. Each diversion means or diverter gate assembly includes a series of the diverter arms 16 spaced along a diverter shaft 42. Each am 16 includes an upper skid flange 34 and a lower board-diverting flange 36 meeting at a lower tip 38, and joined therebetween by a reinforcing web portion 40. An upper end portion of each arm 16 is fixed to a tubular portion of diverter shaft 42. The diverter shaft has small diameter end extensions 44 suitably journaled in bearings 46, 47 at their opposite ends to the sorter frame.

A cross frame member 49 of the sorter mounts short skid sections 50 which are offset slightly from alignment with the skid flanges 34 of the diverter arms, but which form continuations of such diverter arm skid surfaces to support pieces in their upward travel between diverter gates. Each skid section 50 includes a series of idler rolls 52 in the same plane as idler rolls 54 on the gravity infeed section 14 of each tray to provide for transition of boards from their normal inclined infeed path onto the tray rolls.

The means for driving each diverter gate includes an input means comprising a shaft 56 extending parallel to the diverter shaft and journaled at its opposite ends within a clutch housing 58. Input shaft 56 is continuously driven by a chain 60 and sprocket 62 drive arrangement also forming part of the input means. As shown generally in FIG. I, this chain-and-sprocket drive receives power from the same source 32 as infeed conveyor chain 20 and is driven in timed relation to the infeed chain so that the speed of operation of each gate will vary with the speed of the infeed conveyor.

Input shaft 56 mounts a clutch assembly indicated generally at 64 in FIG. 8 and a diverter-actuating or output means indicated generally at 66 in the same figure.

Referring especially to FIGS. 9 and 12, clutch assembly 64 includesan input or synchronizing hub 68 which rotates with input shaft 56 and an output 70 which remains stationary on the input shaft when the clutch is disengaged. Input hub 68 includes an axially extending slot 72. Output hub 70 includes an axial slot 74 which houses a captive springloaded latch dog or bolt 76. The bolt is urged toward the input hub by spring 78. With the clutch disengaged, bolt 76 is held out of latching en= gagement with input hub 68 by a clutch control'arm 80. This arm is pivoted at 81 to an adjustable linkage 82 anchored to clutch housing 58. An extended air cylinder 86 (FIG. 9) connected to an actuating lever 84 of control am holds the control arm within a slot 79 of bolt 76 to prevent the bolt from engaging input hub 68.

Thus when cylinder 86 retracts, it lifts control arm 80 from engagement with bolt 76. Such bolt slides toward the input hub and enters slot 72 of such hub when they become aligned through rotation of input shaft 56. In this manner the bolt latches the output hub to the input hub to engage the clutch. The output hub then rotates with the input hub until the bolt is withdrawn from slot 72 in the latter hub.

However, the clutch-operating means also includes a second control arm 80a pivoted to link 82 at 810 and connected to a rearward extension of arm 80 by a link 83. Thus when cylinder 86 retracts to lift arm 80 away from the output hub, such cylinder simultaneously acts through link 83 to pivot arm 80a toward the output hub. Therefore if cylinder 86 remains retracted until the bolt rotates through I80, a wedgeshaped forward end of arm 80a enters slot 79 of bolt 76 to cam the bolt out of slot 72 of input hub 68, thereby disengaging the clutch after exactly a one-half revolution of the input shaft. However, if after its retraction, cylinder 86 extends again before bolt 76 rotates into engagement with arm 80a, thereby withdrawing arm 800 from the output hub and pivoting arm 80 toward such hub, the bolt rotates through one full revolution of the input hub before such bolt is withdrawn from latching engagement with the input hub to disengage the clutch. For this purpose arm 80 has a wedge-shaped forward end like that ofarrn 80a, as shown in FIG. 12.

The foregoing double control arm feature of the clutch per mits selective clutch disengagement either when the gate is open to keep it open while successive boards enter a single sorting station, or when the gate is closed to keep it closed so that successive boards bypass the sorting station. Of course, control arm 80a can be omitted if desired, but in such a case, a gate must be opened and closed for each of successive boards to be diverted through such gate.

Any other clutch compatible with a continuous input and providing automatic disengagement after a predetermined rotation of the of the input shaft could be substituted for the illustrated clutch. Preferably the engagement and disengagement of any such clutch would be capable of being synchronized with movement of the infeed conveyor.

The actuating means for opening and closing the diverter gate includes a means for cranking diverter shaft 42 through a predetermined angular displacement. In the illustrated embodiment this means includes a cam 88 which rotates with output hub 70 of the clutch. The cam engages a cam follower 90 on a crank arm 92 fixed to diverter shaft extension 44. A leaf spring 94 connected to clutch housing 58 engages a second follower roll 96 on crank arm 92 to urge follower 90 against cam 88. As shown in FIG. 11, cam 88 is in a position wherein the diverter arms are fully closed.

As shown in FIG. 12, a drag brake 98 on shaft 56 is connected through a hub 100 to cam 88 on output hub 70 to apply a positive braking force to the cam and output hub. This ensures that the cam and output hub will not overrun following clutch disengagement so that the gate remains fully closed.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the timing and speed of extension and retraction of the clutch-operating cylinder 86 need not be precise. The cylinder can be retracted at any time during a considerable period when the slot in the input hub is approaching alignment with the clutch bolt. The cylinder can be extended again at any time during the interval following retraction and prior to completion of the next onehalf revolution of the input hub in the case of two control arms, or one full revolution if only the single control arm 80 is used.

Thus the electrical signal which is typically used to energize a solenoid valve for actuating air cylinder 86 need not be precisely timed to operate air cylinder 86 at any exact mo ment. Instead, exact timing of the opening of a gate is determined by registration of slot 72 of the input hub with bolt 76 of the output hub in the clutch assembly, and timing of the closing of such gate is determined by the shape of cam 88.

Operation As infeed conveyor chain moves as shown in FIG. 1, each lug 26 carries an individual board upwardly at an inclination on conveyor skid 28, portions of which are formed by the upper skid flanges of the various diverter arms 16. Through well-known means an electrical signal energizes the solenoid of a valve (not shown) controlling the retraction of clutchoperating cylinder 86 at some time prior to the time when a lug 26 pushing a board to be sorted reaches the diverter gate controlled by such cylinder. Moreover, the solenoid remains energized to maintain the air cylinder retracted at least until the clutch bolt enters the slot in the input hub. With the air cylinder operating in the foregoing manner, the clutch remains engaged only through exactly one revolution of the input shaft 56 or a portion of a revolution as desired.

For optimum operation of a diverter gate, the opening and closing of such gate is carefully timed relative to predetermined positions of a lug or other board-positioning element on the infeed conveyor chain. Referring to FIG. 7 and assuming a clutch with only one control arm 80, assume board B is to be diverted through gate 16 onto tray 12c. The clutch for operating such gate is synchronized so that the clutch bolt and slot in the input hub are aligned when lug 26a is in position X just above the lower tip of such diverter gate. Then'by the time gate 16 opens fully, lug 26a has moved upwardly to its dotted line position Y above such gate. At the same time, lug 26b pushing board B to be diverted has moved upwardly to a point just below the open gate whereby the upward movement of the lug begins to tip the leading edge of the board through the gate opening and onto the desired tray.

However, before lug 26a reaches critical position X in FIG. 7, an electrical signal for energizing the solenoid for the corresponding clutchoperating cylinder must reach the solenoid at some position of lug 26a between points E and E upstream from position X. The earliest time when the cylinder for gate 16 can be energized is represented by position E for lug 26a, nearly one full lug space behind critical position X. The last possible time for energizing the clutch cylinder is represented by position 13 of lug 26a. The distance between positions E, and E defines the electrical input zone. Signals reaching the cylinder solenoid when lug 26a is anywhere in this zone will enable the clutch to be engaged in time to divert board B to tray 12c.

The electrical signal must continue to energize the cylinder solenoid at least until lug 26a travels past position X to position E However, the cylinder solenoid can remain energized until lug 26a reaches position E nearly one full lug space ahead of position X, and still disengage the clutch after a single revolution of the input shaft. Thus the distance between positions E and E defines the electrical dropout zone. Deenergizing the cylinder solenoid while lug 26a is anywhere in this zone ensures that gate 16 will remain closed after only a single opening and closing cycle of the gate.

The distance between positions E and E of lug 26a represents the minimum length of time the cylinder solenoid must remain energized to open and close gate 16 at the precise time desired in relation to the lugs. The distance between positions E and E of lug 26a represents the maximum length of time the cylinder solenoid can remain energized for gate 16 to operate as desired. In any event, the important point is that regardless of whether the cylinder for gate 16 is energized when lug 26a is at point E or E and deenergized when lug 26a is at point E and E gate 16 will begin to open when lug 26a reaches position X, will be fully open when lug 26a reaches position Y, and will be fully closed again when such lug reaches another exact position (not shown) downstream of point Y and one full lug space downstream of position X. Thus the time tolerances for energizing and deenergizing a gate cylinder are considerable, thereby obviating the need for precise electrical timing controls.

Slight variations in the distance between position X and the lower tip of the diverter arm 16 may be required to accommodate boards of difi'erent thicknesses. For example, it is generally desirable to provide for a later opening and closing of a gate and therefore a greater distance between position X and the tip of the gate for thick boards than for thin boards.

Having illustrated and described the principles of my invention in what is presently a preferred embodiment, no doubt other embodiments and modifications incorporating these principles will occur to those skilled in the art. It is my intention to include within the scope of my invention all embodiments and modifications utilizing such principles.

lclaim:

1. In a sorting system including a primary conveyor means for conveying a product to be sorted in a predetermined path past multiple sorting stations and a diversion means for permitting selective switching of said product to one of said stations,

said diversion means comprising:

a diversion gating means,

and diverter drive means including input means, output means operatively connected to said gating means, and clutch means for connecting said input means to said output means for operating said gating means,

said diverter drive means being operated in timed relation to said primary conveyor means so that changes in the speed of travel of said primary conveyor means efiects a corresponding change in the speed of operation of said diversion gating means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said clutch means includes means for disengaging said clutch means after a predetermined movement of said input means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said clutch means includes means for selectively disengaging said clutch means either after a first predetermined movement or after a second predetermined movement of said input means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein after said first predetermined movement said gating means is in a diverting position and wherein after said second predetermined movement said gating means is in a nondiverting position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including conveyor drive means for driving said primary conveyor means, said input means being operatively connected to said conveyor drive means in a manner so that variations in the speed of said conveyor means effects a corresponding change in the speed of operation of said diversion gating means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means includes product-positioning elements at spaced intervals on said conveyor means, conveyor drive means, means operatively interconnecting said conveyor drive means and said input means of said diverter drive means in a manner so that variations in the speed of said conveyor means effect a corresponding variation in the speed of operation of said gating means, said clutch means including means operable to engage said clutch means and operate said gating means only in a predetermined position of one of said positioning elements relative to said gating means and operable to disengage said clutch means upon predetermined movement of said input means following clutch engagement sufficient to return said gating means to a-nondiverting position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said predetermined position is selected so that said gating means is actuated to a diverting position just prior to the arrival of a product to be sorted at said gate means and wherein said diverter drive means is timed to commence return of said gating means to a nondiverting position before said product is fully diverted toward said sorting station.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said diverter drive means includes means operable in timed relation to said conveyor means in a manner so that said gating means boosts said product toward a selected said sorting station as said gating means returns to a nondiverting position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said output means includes crank means for moving said gate means through a cycle from a nondiverting position to a diverting position and back to said nondiverting position, means for engaging said clutch means only in a predetermined position of a product-positioning element of said conveyor means relative to said gating means, and means for disengaging said clutch means upon completion of said cycle.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 including means correlating the speed of said conveyor means with the cyclical speed of said gating means in a manner so that variations in the speed of said conveyor means effects a corresponding variation in the cyclical speed of said gating means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said diversion gating means comprises a diverter arm forming a portion of a conveyor surface when in a nondiverting position, diverter mounting means including a rotatably mounted diverter shaft mounting said diverter arm for pivotal movement, said output means comprising means for pivoting said diverter shaft through a predetermined angular displacement so as to oscillate said diverter arm between said nondiverting position and a diverting position.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said input means includes an input shaft parallel to said diverter shaft and mounting said clutch means and said means for pivoting said diverter shaft.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said diverter shaft pivoting means includes cam means on a second shaft extending parallel to said diverter shaft and crank means on said diverter shaft engaged by said cam means, said cam means being rotatable with said second shaft during engagement of said clutch means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said diverter drive means is operable to move said diversion gating means in a direction to form an interruption in a conveyor surface and to a position to positively divert pieces in a desired direction from said conveyor surface.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said diverter drive means is operated in timed relation to said conveyor means in a manner to commence moving said gating means from a diverting position to a nondiverting position when a product is only partially diverted and at a speed so that said gate boosts the partially diverted product in a desired direction toward a sorting station.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said diverter drive means includes cam means for determining the movement of said gating means during clutch engagement.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said primary conveyor means is an endless-type conveyor including conveyor drive means for driving said primary conveyor means, said input means including an input shaft driven by said conveyor drive means, said input shaft mounting said clutch means, said clutch means being engageable only in predetermined positions of said conveyor relative to said diversion gating means, said clutch means being disengageable only upon a predetermined rotation of said input shaft as determined by movement of said conveyor through a predetermined distance following engagement of saidclutch means.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said primary conveyor means is an endless-type conveyor having a primary flow path lying in a vertical plane, said diversion gating means being operable to divert said product from said flow path to other flow paths lying in the vertical plane of said primary flow path.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sorting system comprises a lumber sorter, said primary conveyor means comprising an endless-type conveyor having lumberpositioning elements operable to convey individual pieces of lumber edgewise in spaced-apart relationship along a primary flow path lying in a vertical plane, said diversion gating means including a plurality of gates pivotable in the vertical plane of said primary flow path from a closed position wherein said gates define a lumber-supporting portion of said primary conveyor means to an open position wherein said gates act to divert lumber pieces edgewise from said primary flow path to secondary flow paths lying in the vertical plane of said primary flow path.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said primary flow path is inclined to the horizontal.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said clutch means is engageable to open one of said gates only in a first predetermined position of a product-positioning element relative to said one gate and is disengageable to close said one gate only in a second predetermined position of a product-positioning element relative to said one gate independently of the time when said clutch means is conditioned for engagement or disengagement and independently of the speed of said endlesstype conveyor.

22. In a sorting system wherein a conveyor means conveys a product to be sorted in a predetermined path past multiple sorting stations and a diversion means for permitting selective switching of said product to one of said stations,

said diversion means comprising:

a diversion gating means,

and diverter drive means including input means, output means operatively connected to said gating means, and clutch means for connecting said input means to said output means for operating said gating means,

said conveyor means including product-positioning elements at spaced intervals on said conveyor means, said diverter drive means including means synchronizing the engagement of said clutch means with a predetermined position of one of said product-positioning elements relative to said gating means.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said clutch means is disengageable at a second predetermined position of said one positioning element.

24. In a sorting system wherein a conveyor means conveys a product to be sorted in a predetermined path past multiple sorting stations and a diversion means for permitting selective switching of said product to one of said stations,

said diversion means comprising:

a diversion gating means,

a diverter drive means including input means, output means operatively connected to said gating means, and clutch means for connecting said input means to said output means for operating said gating means,

said conveyor means including product-positioning elements at spaced intervals on said conveyor means, said diverter drive means including means for engaging said clutch means at a predetermined position of a productpositioning element relative to said gating means, said diverter drive means being operatively related to said conveyor means in a manner such that said predetermined position remains constant with variations in the speed of said conveyor means. I

25. In a sorting system wherein a conveyor means conveys a product to be sorted in a predetermined path past multiple sorting stations and a diversion means for permitting selective switching of said product to one of said stations,

said diversion means comprising:

a diversion gating means,

and diverter drive means including input means, output means operatively connected to said gating means, and clutch means for connecting said input means to said output means for operating said gating means,

said conveyor means including product-positioning elements at spaced intervals on said conveyor means, said diverter drive means including means for disengaging said clutch means at a predetermined position of a productpositioning element relative to said gating means.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said disengaging means includes means for disengaging said clutch means at at least two different predetermined positions of said gating means.

27. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said disengaging means includes means for disengaging said clutch means at UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 0.63 I I Dated March 7 r 1972 Daniel Rowley Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent Y and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 20, "vie" should be -v iew--; column 3, line 69, after "output" the word "hub" was omitted; column 4, line 42, "of the" was duplicated; claim 16 should depend from claim 22; column 8, line -41 claim 24 "a should be -and--.

Signed and sealed, this 27th day of June 1972;

(SEAL) Attest:

31mm) M.FLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting; Officer Commissioner of Patents uscomwpc 502."!5-P6 FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) 

1. In a sorting system including a primary conveyor means for conveying a product to be sorted in a predetermined path past multiple sorting stations and a diversion means for permitting selective switching of said product to one of said stations, said diversion means comprising: a diversion gating means, and diverter drive means including input means, output means operatively connected to said gating means, and clutch means for connecting said input means to said output means for operating said gating means, said diverter drive means being operated in timed relation to said primary conveyor means so that changes in the speed of travel of said primary conveyor means effects a corresponding change in the speed of operation of said diversion gating means.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said clutch means includes means for disengaging said clutch means after a predetermined movement of said input means.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said clutch means includes means for selectively disengaging said clutch means either after a first predetermined movement or after a second predetermined movement of said input means.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein after said first predetermined movement said gating means is in a diverting position and wherein after said second predetermined movement said gating means is in a nondiverting position.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including conveyor drive means for driving said prImary conveyor means, said input means being operatively connected to said conveyor drive means in a manner so that variations in the speed of said conveyor means effects a corresponding change in the speed of operation of said diversion gating means.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means includes product-positioning elements at spaced intervals on said conveyor means, conveyor drive means, means operatively interconnecting said conveyor drive means and said input means of said diverter drive means in a manner so that variations in the speed of said conveyor means effect a corresponding variation in the speed of operation of said gating means, said clutch means including means operable to engage said clutch means and operate said gating means only in a predetermined position of one of said positioning elements relative to said gating means and operable to disengage said clutch means upon predetermined movement of said input means following clutch engagement sufficient to return said gating means to a nondiverting position.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said predetermined position is selected so that said gating means is actuated to a diverting position just prior to the arrival of a product to be sorted at said gate means and wherein said diverter drive means is timed to commence return of said gating means to a nondiverting position before said product is fully diverted toward said sorting station.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said diverter drive means includes means operable in timed relation to said conveyor means in a manner so that said gating means boosts said product toward a selected said sorting station as said gating means returns to a nondiverting position.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said output means includes crank means for moving said gate means through a cycle from a nondiverting position to a diverting position and back to said nondiverting position, means for engaging said clutch means only in a predetermined position of a product-positioning element of said conveyor means relative to said gating means, and means for disengaging said clutch means upon completion of said cycle.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 including means correlating the speed of said conveyor means with the cyclical speed of said gating means in a manner so that variations in the speed of said conveyor means effects a corresponding variation in the cyclical speed of said gating means.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said diversion gating means comprises a diverter arm forming a portion of a conveyor surface when in a nondiverting position, diverter mounting means including a rotatably mounted diverter shaft mounting said diverter arm for pivotal movement, said output means comprising means for pivoting said diverter shaft through a predetermined angular displacement so as to oscillate said diverter arm between said nondiverting position and a diverting position.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said input means includes an input shaft parallel to said diverter shaft and mounting said clutch means and said means for pivoting said diverter shaft.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said diverter shaft pivoting means includes cam means on a second shaft extending parallel to said diverter shaft and crank means on said diverter shaft engaged by said cam means, said cam means being rotatable with said second shaft during engagement of said clutch means.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said diverter drive means is operable to move said diversion gating means in a direction to form an interruption in a conveyor surface and to a position to positively divert pieces in a desired direction from said conveyor surface.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said diverter drive means is operated in timed relation to said conveyor means in a manner to commence moving said gating means from a diverting position to a nondiverting position when a product is Only partially diverted and at a speed so that said gate boosts the partially diverted product in a desired direction toward a sorting station.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said diverter drive means includes cam means for determining the movement of said gating means during clutch engagement.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said primary conveyor means is an endless-type conveyor including conveyor drive means for driving said primary conveyor means, said input means including an input shaft driven by said conveyor drive means, said input shaft mounting said clutch means, said clutch means being engageable only in predetermined positions of said conveyor relative to said diversion gating means, said clutch means being disengageable only upon a predetermined rotation of said input shaft as determined by movement of said conveyor through a predetermined distance following engagement of said clutch means.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said primary conveyor means is an endless-type conveyor having a primary flow path lying in a vertical plane, said diversion gating means being operable to divert said product from said flow path to other flow paths lying in the vertical plane of said primary flow path.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sorting system comprises a lumber sorter, said primary conveyor means comprising an endless-type conveyor having lumber-positioning elements operable to convey individual pieces of lumber edgewise in spaced-apart relationship along a primary flow path lying in a vertical plane, said diversion gating means including a plurality of gates pivotable in the vertical plane of said primary flow path from a closed position wherein said gates define a lumber-supporting portion of said primary conveyor means to an open position wherein said gates act to divert lumber pieces edgewise from said primary flow path to secondary flow paths lying in the vertical plane of said primary flow path.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said primary flow path is inclined to the horizontal.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said clutch means is engageable to open one of said gates only in a first predetermined position of a product-positioning element relative to said one gate and is disengageable to close said one gate only in a second predetermined position of a product-positioning element relative to said one gate independently of the time when said clutch means is conditioned for engagement or disengagement and independently of the speed of said endless-type conveyor.
 22. In a sorting system wherein a conveyor means conveys a product to be sorted in a predetermined path past multiple sorting stations and a diversion means for permitting selective switching of said product to one of said stations, said diversion means comprising: a diversion gating means, and diverter drive means including input means, output means operatively connected to said gating means, and clutch means for connecting said input means to said output means for operating said gating means, said conveyor means including product-positioning elements at spaced intervals on said conveyor means, said diverter drive means including means synchronizing the engagement of said clutch means with a predetermined position of one of said product-positioning elements relative to said gating means.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said clutch means is disengageable at a second predetermined position of said one positioning element.
 24. In a sorting system wherein a conveyor means conveys a product to be sorted in a predetermined path past multiple sorting stations and a diversion means for permitting selective switching of said product to one of said stations, said diversion means comprising: a diversion gating means, a diverter drive means including input means, output means operatively connected to said gating means, and clutch means for connecting said input means to said output means for operating said gating means, said conveyor means including product-positioning elements at spaced intervals on said conveyor means, said diverter drive means including means for engaging said clutch means at a predetermined position of a product-positioning element relative to said gating means, said diverter drive means being operatively related to said conveyor means in a manner such that said predetermined position remains constant with variations in the speed of said conveyor means.
 25. In a sorting system wherein a conveyor means conveys a product to be sorted in a predetermined path past multiple sorting stations and a diversion means for permitting selective switching of said product to one of said stations, said diversion means comprising: a diversion gating means, and diverter drive means including input means, output means operatively connected to said gating means, and clutch means for connecting said input means to said output means for operating said gating means, said conveyor means including product-positioning elements at spaced intervals on said conveyor means, said diverter drive means including means for disengaging said clutch means at a predetermined position of a product-positioning element relative to said gating means.
 26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said disengaging means includes means for disengaging said clutch means at at least two different predetermined positions of said gating means.
 27. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said disengaging means includes means for disengaging said clutch means at at least two different predetermined positions of a positioning element of said conveyor means relative to said gating means.
 28. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said means for disengaging includes means for selectively disengaging said clutch means either with said gating means in a nondiverting position or with said gating means in a diverting position. 